CURRENT NEWS
March 2023
The day-of planning is under way! Check out the schedule for the day here. We will be uploading t-shirt ordering information next week, so be sure to watch here and on social media!
January 2023
We have extended the date for student registration until March 1, 2023. Make sure you get students registered so that sessions don't fill up before it's too late.
Also, if you need any more reasons for why you should bring a group of young readers and writers to #COAWest this year, look no further...
Also, if you need any more reasons for why you should bring a group of young readers and writers to #COAWest this year, look no further...
December 2022
WRITING & BOOKMARK CONTEST
We are thrilled to be coming back to you in person on Saturday, May 6th 2023! While we’re prepping for the BIG DAY, we’re hoping teachers & teacher librarians will rally students to submit their most creative stories for our annual writing contest. AND...this year, we’re also including something for the artists out there. We’ve added a bookmark design contest as well!
The Rules:
The rules are simple—this is your chance to show your creativity!
For writers: Submit any original work of fiction under 1500 words.
For illustrators: Using the 2” x 8” template (see the button below), design/draw anything they want for the Cavalcade of Authors West bookmark. They are designing one side only and it can be color or black & white.
Each school will choose one writer and one illustrator to best represent your school. The deadline to have your school’s entry to us is March 24,2023.
Prizes:
Prizes are TBA, but Pro Tip: One of the prizes is a Fast Pass to the front of the signing lines. Trust me, with the long waits, this prize alone is worth the effort!
There will be four winners, one writer and one illustrator from the middle school level and one each from the high school level. Winners will be announced live at the Cavalcade event on Saturday, May 6th and will have their work published on our website.
Now, get out there and spread the word—we’re looking forward to your exciting entries!
We are thrilled to be coming back to you in person on Saturday, May 6th 2023! While we’re prepping for the BIG DAY, we’re hoping teachers & teacher librarians will rally students to submit their most creative stories for our annual writing contest. AND...this year, we’re also including something for the artists out there. We’ve added a bookmark design contest as well!
The Rules:
The rules are simple—this is your chance to show your creativity!
For writers: Submit any original work of fiction under 1500 words.
For illustrators: Using the 2” x 8” template (see the button below), design/draw anything they want for the Cavalcade of Authors West bookmark. They are designing one side only and it can be color or black & white.
Each school will choose one writer and one illustrator to best represent your school. The deadline to have your school’s entry to us is March 24,2023.
Prizes:
Prizes are TBA, but Pro Tip: One of the prizes is a Fast Pass to the front of the signing lines. Trust me, with the long waits, this prize alone is worth the effort!
There will be four winners, one writer and one illustrator from the middle school level and one each from the high school level. Winners will be announced live at the Cavalcade event on Saturday, May 6th and will have their work published on our website.
Now, get out there and spread the word—we’re looking forward to your exciting entries!
We know the beautiful snow means many of you are not at school today, but we want you to know we are OPEN for 2023 registration! If you are ready, visit our 2023 REGISTRATION page today, but also feel free to enjoy the day off and play in the snow. We will be here tomorrow! Can't wait to see our list for our first LIVE COA West in three years grow! Happy Snow Day, Friends!
November 2022
2023 COA WEST REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 1!
Our author lineup and workshops are posted HERE. Details for registration are on their way to school teacher and librarian inboxes and are also below:
The Main Points:
Our author lineup and workshops are posted HERE. Details for registration are on their way to school teacher and librarian inboxes and are also below:
The Main Points:
- May 6, 2023 (That's a Saturday!)
- 20 fabulous middle grade and young adult authors
- Curtis Junior High, University Place/Tacoma, WA
- $20/student, no limits on how many attend
- 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Students are working with authors in classrooms, hearing from them in Q&A panels, and get to have ALL the books autographed
- 3 workshops, 2 panels, 1 autograph session, B&N Bookstore for all
- T-shirts and other swag will be announced at a later date
- School registration opens Thursday, December 1st
- Student workshop & panel registration once school payment is made (separate link will be sent)
October 2022
2023 Author Lineup, Round Two!
Our second author lineup announcement is here... more names, more excitement!
We can't wait for you to meet these fabulous folks--don't forget to spread the word about #COAWest23, it's going to be GREAT.
Registration details will be coming soon!
Our second author lineup announcement is here... more names, more excitement!
We can't wait for you to meet these fabulous folks--don't forget to spread the word about #COAWest23, it's going to be GREAT.
Registration details will be coming soon!
2023 Author Lineup, Round One!
Our first author lineup announcement is here! Please help us welcome the following authors to our in-person conference on May 6, 2023.
Let your friends, students, teachers, and librarians know who you're most excited to see, and invite them to come to #COAWest23 to experience the authors in real life.
Our first author lineup announcement is here! Please help us welcome the following authors to our in-person conference on May 6, 2023.
Let your friends, students, teachers, and librarians know who you're most excited to see, and invite them to come to #COAWest23 to experience the authors in real life.
You can also start connecting with our authors online now--check out their websites or social media and get yourself excited about what's to come!
Don't worry, we have lots more names waiting to be released--you're not going to want to miss this!
You can also start connecting with our authors online now--check out their websites or social media and get yourself excited about what's to come!
Don't worry, we have lots more names waiting to be released--you're not going to want to miss this!
October 2022
Save the Date for COA West 2023!
It's here!
The Cavalcade of Authors West Board is thrilled to announce the date for the next in-person conference!
It's here!
The Cavalcade of Authors West Board is thrilled to announce the date for the next in-person conference!
Keep an eye on our social pages and this News page for more information about our author line up, special events, and our writing contest ready as we continue the 2022-2023 school year.
Students, we can't wait for you to meet and learn from our roster of authors! Teachers and librarians, thank you so much for encouraging your students to keep reading and writing all the things!
January 2022
Cavalcade of Authors West Takes a Gap Year
The email below was sent to all on our distribution list on January 4, 2022. We are looking forward to 2023, Friends!
Hello and Happy 2022 to all of our Cavalcade of Authors West Schools, Librarians, Teachers, Students and Supporters!
We do hope you all are healthy and we know you are doing the absolute best you can to continue to work through each day we are in this global mess we are in. Us, too.
With that in mind, as well as the reality that Covid and its very real complications and considerations for our health and daily lives are not going away soon, we have decided to cancel COA West 2022, calling it a Gap Year. We are so very sad about this decision, but simply do not believe we can responsibly and definitively put together the high quality event you and your students have come to know and love, and deserve, this spring.
We will spend the coming months working hard to make COA West 2023 the best yet, and we plan to have news of our author line up, special events, author visit opportunities, and our writing contest ready as we dive into the 2022-2023 school year. Please continue to follow us on social media, watch your email, and do what you all do best: encourage every one of our students to keep reading and writing all the things!
Thank you all for your ongoing love and support. Do stay well, and we will be back with more COA West love in the fall!
Much love and appreciation,
Carina, Carrie, Kim, Kari, & Virginia
Your Cavalcade of Authors West Board
The email below was sent to all on our distribution list on January 4, 2022. We are looking forward to 2023, Friends!
Hello and Happy 2022 to all of our Cavalcade of Authors West Schools, Librarians, Teachers, Students and Supporters!
We do hope you all are healthy and we know you are doing the absolute best you can to continue to work through each day we are in this global mess we are in. Us, too.
With that in mind, as well as the reality that Covid and its very real complications and considerations for our health and daily lives are not going away soon, we have decided to cancel COA West 2022, calling it a Gap Year. We are so very sad about this decision, but simply do not believe we can responsibly and definitively put together the high quality event you and your students have come to know and love, and deserve, this spring.
We will spend the coming months working hard to make COA West 2023 the best yet, and we plan to have news of our author line up, special events, author visit opportunities, and our writing contest ready as we dive into the 2022-2023 school year. Please continue to follow us on social media, watch your email, and do what you all do best: encourage every one of our students to keep reading and writing all the things!
Thank you all for your ongoing love and support. Do stay well, and we will be back with more COA West love in the fall!
Much love and appreciation,
Carina, Carrie, Kim, Kari, & Virginia
Your Cavalcade of Authors West Board
April 2021
We've got NEWS! We are sad to announce that Soman Chainani is no longer available to attend (because he's going to be on location filming The School of Good and Evil! So, totally forgiven!), but we've added a couple of AMAZING authors in his stead.
First, the reason we LOVE historical fiction so very, very much: THE Ruta Sepetys will be joining us as a panelist, and we can't wait to hear about all of the fantastic bits she learns as she dives into the real events, people, and moments that make her historical fiction literally un-put-downable.
AND...we are so pleased to have Eliot Schrefer return to Cavalcade of Authors West. He last joined us in 2018, and since then has added to his Lost Rainforest series, completed the Ape Quartet, released the first in The Animal Rescue Agency Series, and is awaiting the release of his newest title The Darkness Outside Us in June, 2021. He's been BUUSY, and he's got lots to share in his workshop, "The Importance of Character Choices in Writing Great Stories". Make sure you get signed up for that one (or note it to watch after our event!).
SCHOOLS! There is still time to register, and remember it's $25 no matter how many students attend (that's UNLIMITED!). Visit our Registration page now.
STUDENTS! If your school has registered, be sure you've got the Student Workshop Registration link. We will be placing those this week, and if you don't choose, we choose for you!
COOL STUFF! We've created the poster above as well this flyer, and then a great interactive Thinglink that has great videos so you can learn more about our authors and their work. Check them ALL out!
Just over three weeks to go! We cannot wait!
First, the reason we LOVE historical fiction so very, very much: THE Ruta Sepetys will be joining us as a panelist, and we can't wait to hear about all of the fantastic bits she learns as she dives into the real events, people, and moments that make her historical fiction literally un-put-downable.
AND...we are so pleased to have Eliot Schrefer return to Cavalcade of Authors West. He last joined us in 2018, and since then has added to his Lost Rainforest series, completed the Ape Quartet, released the first in The Animal Rescue Agency Series, and is awaiting the release of his newest title The Darkness Outside Us in June, 2021. He's been BUUSY, and he's got lots to share in his workshop, "The Importance of Character Choices in Writing Great Stories". Make sure you get signed up for that one (or note it to watch after our event!).
SCHOOLS! There is still time to register, and remember it's $25 no matter how many students attend (that's UNLIMITED!). Visit our Registration page now.
STUDENTS! If your school has registered, be sure you've got the Student Workshop Registration link. We will be placing those this week, and if you don't choose, we choose for you!
COOL STUFF! We've created the poster above as well this flyer, and then a great interactive Thinglink that has great videos so you can learn more about our authors and their work. Check them ALL out!
Just over three weeks to go! We cannot wait!
February 2021
Calling all Young Writers!!
Whew, what a year! Who knew we’d have to cancel our 2020 conference and move this year’s event to a fully online platform. But like the rest of the world, we’ve adapted, and we’re excited to host students from across the country as they meet bestselling authors...screen-to-screen! The May 8th virtual event is rapidly approaching, and while the big day might look a little different from years past, that doesn’t mean some things won’t be the same. I’m talking about the WRITING CONTEST! Your Mission: The rules are simple. All students have to do is submit any original work of fiction under 1,500 words. This is your chance to flex your creativity. Entries will be submitted to your school librarian or teacher who will choose one to submit to COA West (and if your librarian or teacher doesn't know about COA West, it's your job to share the Cavalcade joy with them!). Our deadline is March 26, 2021, so check with your librarian or teacher to find out THEIR deadline. Prizes: TBA There will be two winners, one at the middle school level and one at the high school level. Winners will be announced over Zoom at the Cavalcade virtual event on Saturday, May 8th, and will have their work published on our website. We’re looking forward to reading your exciting entries! September 2020
What's Next?
Planning for the next Cavalcade of Authors West conference has begun. While there are still COVID-19 restrictions regarding gatherings and events, and the future guidelines and activities are unknown at this time, the Board of Directors for COAWest is discussing options of all kinds. The event may look and feel different for 2021, but the goal of COAWest has always been to provide interactions between young readers and writers and the authors they love. Look for more updates in the coming weeks and months as decisions are made, and as always, we appreciate your enthusiasm and participation in this event that we love so much. Sincerely, Carina, Carrie, Kari, Kim, and Virginia May 2020
COA West 2020 Writing Contest Winners
Congratulations to this years Writing Contest Winners! Please check out their stories here. Even though our event is not happening this year, our 2020 winners are published on our website, will receiving a Fast Pass for the autograph lines at the 2021 conference, a gift card to B&N, and some cool COA West swag! Congratulations to our Middle Grade Winner! The middle level short story winner is "A Second Chance" by Sophia Foster, a student at Drum Intermediate in University Place School District. Some of Sophia's favorite books include the Wings of Fire, Maze Runner, and Harry Potter series. She admires authors Tai Sutherland, Erin Hunter, James Dashner. When it comes to her writing process, Sophia says "I am mostly a planner, but really I'm a mix of the two." Congratulations to our High School Winner! The high school short story winner is "Music Personified" by Skylar Viene, a student at Spanaway Lake High School in Bethel School District. Her favorite books include the Throne of Glass series, School for Good and Evil, Renegades, Illuminae, Caraval, Not Even Bones, and Sadie. She admires authors Sarah J Maas, Marissa Meyer, Soman Chainani, and Rebecca Schaeffer. When considering her writing process, Skylar said, "[I'm] mostly a plotter but I’d say there is definitely a pantser portion of my story making. Often time when I get an idea I’ll just... not write it. I’ll let it sit in my head for awhile and let my mind figure out which way the story should go. If the direction it’s going is too cliché then I’ll just go a different way with it. Only when I had the bare bones of a projects do I write them down. Then comes the continuous adding and subtracting of events and twists, till it forms something akin to a map of the major events. I’ll write those singular moments while I figure out what I’m gonna put in between to make a cohesive story.” March 2020
COA West 2020 Canceled
As you know, we at Cavalcade of Authors West have been closely monitoring the situation around the COVID-19 virus in our state. We were very much looking forward to yet another successful event. As always, our priority is the health and well-being of everyone involved, both in Cavalcade as an event and in our community. This morning, the governor mandated that in the interest of public health, all events over 250 people are banned. Even if that ban is lifted, our board has elected to cancel this year’s event. We did everything in our power to stay-the-course, but ultimately, our goal is to create a safe space, so we are following the guidance of the local public health officials and have decided to look ahead to 2021. Our hearts go out to the country at this time, and to everyone impacted by the COVID-19 virus. While we don’t yet have a date for our 2021 event, we will be working to secure a date and will keep you informed as details emerge. Our priority is to make 2021 an equally amazing event! We are currently processing refunds. If you paid by check, you will receive a check in the mail. Those who paid with credit card, should see a refund on your next statement. The contact person from your school will receive an email confirming the refund. The writing contest will go on as planned! If you have entries, please send them to either coawest@gmail.com or kim@kimberlyderting.com by this Friday the 13th. The winners will have their stories posted on our website, as well as receiving a Fast Pass for the lines at the 2021 conference, a gift card to B&N, and some cool COA West swag! We want to thank all of you for your ongoing patience and support. Stay tuned to our website and social channels for details about what we’ll have in store for 2021! And, as always, please let us know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Carina Pierce Kimberly Derting Carrie Willenbring Virginia Larsen Kari Bradley January 2020
We need an army of volunteers for our conference on Saturday, May 9th, 2020. If you have an interest in volunteering at Cavalcade of Authors West, please complete the survey and let us know in what capacity you're able to serve. There are many different tasks involved and outlined in the survey. We will do our best to slate you where you'd like to be slated, but ultimately have a lot of spots to fill and may need to place you somewhere that fits our needs for the day (and week!). We appreciate your willingness to volunteer! Please email coawest@gmail.com if you have any questions or need anything clarified. Thank you all so very, very much for your willingness to help us (and 1,000 kids!) out! December 2019
We're thrilled to announce that #COAWest20 registration is at full capacity!
We no longer have any room for more students at this time, but there is still hope. If you would like to be on the WAITLIST in case spots open up, please email coawest@gmail.com with the subject line: WAITLIST. Please give us the following information:
October 2019
Our 2020 AUTHORS & WORKSHOPS page is up and updated! Make sure you are ready for school registration on November 1st, and have students looking at the Authors & Workshops page so they are ready to sign up for their workshops as soon as your school has paid. The Registration page will go live at 12:01 am on November 1. We've got room for 1,000...Be ready!
All of the details for 2020 can be found on our COA West 2020 page. And then, of course, our amazing author list is below!
Join us in welcoming the authors coming to Cavalcade of Authors West 2020!
May 2019
March 2019
Cavalcade of Authors West 2019 t-shirts are here! Order now and pick them up at COA West on May 11th. This is a perfect way to commemorate a perfect day.
January 2019
WRITING CONTEST IS UNDERWAY!
We're only a few months away from our big Cavalcade of Authors West event on May 11th, and what better way to get students excited about the big day than a (writing) contest??? The Rules: It’s simple, really. All students have to do is submit any original work of fiction under 1500 words. This is your chance to flex your creative muscles. School librarians or teachers will collect and choose the best one to represent your school. The deadline to have your school’s entry to us is March 8, 2019. Prizes are TBA. There will be two winners, one at the middle level and one at the high school level. Winners will be announced live at the Cavalcade event on May 11th and will have their work published on our website. Now, get out there and spread the word—we’re looking forward to reading your exciting entries! December 2018
Yep! We've added two more authors...because 21 was not enough! We are so excited to welcome two fabulous Seattle talents, Kevin Emerson (COA West author x 3!) and newcomer Greg Smith! Be sure to check out their bios, workshops and exciting list of titles on our Authors & Workshops page right now. And then, get signed up to hang out with them at #COAWest19!
July 2018
Here we go, Cavalcaders! 2019 is lining up to be fabulous already. We will add to this list as it is finalized, but so far, here's who you can get excited about:
April 15, 2018
Meet our Master of Ceremonies - Jennifer LaGarde!
Come one, come all! Gather round, we have some important news! The COA West Board would like to introduce you to our Emcee (Master of Ceremonies) for the Cavalcade of Authors West 2018 event! Jennifer will moderate the Author Panels (yes, all four!), and will help guide the questions/discussion in a way that only she can. We're excited for you to meet this amazing librarian AND amazing human. Please give her a warm welcome when you see her on May 12th! Jennifer LaGarde (aka library girl!) is a lifelong educator and learner. With over twenty years of experience in public education, Jennifer has served as a classroom teacher, a teacher librarian, a digital teaching and learning specialist, a district level support staff and a state-wide leader as a consultant for both the NC Dept of Public Instruction and the Friday Institute for Instructional Innovation. Jennifer is a past winner of the ALA, New York Times and Carnegie Corporation’s "I Love My Librarian Award" and she was also named a Library Journal "Mover and Shaker” for her efforts as a school library advocate. Jennifer earned her bachelor's degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English/Language Arts from the University of NC at Wilmington. And she earned her Master’s in Library Science from Appalachian State University. She also holds National Board Certification in the area of School Library Media. Jennifer currently works with teachers, librarians, instructional technologists, instructional coaches and both building and district level leaders, around the world, to develop innovative instructional practices that both serve the literacy needs of students and that infuse technology in meaningful ways. Jennifer has published numerous articles on best educational practices for journals like Teacher Librarian, ISTE, School Library Connections and Knowledge Quest. Jennifer currently resides in Olympia, Washington where she spends time chasing after her three dogs, drinking lots of coffee and updating her award winning blog The Adventures of Library Girl where she proves you don’t have to be super hero to be a teacher librarian, but having a cape sure helps. 
March 26, 2018
T-shirt orders for Cavalcade of Authors West 2018 are open! Use the link below to get yours ordered today. We will not be selling shirts the day of the event, only via online pre-order through Saturday, April 21st.
We will distribute shirts at registration at COA West 2018. March 9, 2018
Just two months away!
February 18, 2018
We have recently added an "Anti-Harrassment Policy" to our program and our website. It is posted below, and can also be found on our About & Contact page. The mission of Cavalcade of Authors West includes opportunities for young, aspiring writers to work with and be inspired by published authors, ultimately leading all participants to feel empowered by their experiences to move towards their own individual goals. With that in mind, Cavalcade of Authors West has a zero tolerance policy regarding harassment in any form by and towards any participant in our event from board members, students, teachers, volunteers, vendors, and authors. This includes, but is not limited to: race, age, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, religion, class, body size, veteran status, marital/domestic partnership status, citizenship or any other marginalized identity. It is our promise that all involved parties will feel safe and welcome. If at any time, we are not meeting that promise, please contact any board director personally or send notice to coawest@gmail.com immediately. February 18, 2018
Cavalcade of Authors West’s 2018 author line-up will no longer include Jay Asher. A replacement has not been named at this time, but we will notify all schools and participants as soon as that information is available. - Cavalcade of Authors West Board December 2017
If you would like to volunteer at Cavalcade of Authors West 2018, please complete the form on our Volunteer page. We will strive to meet your preferences, but we cannot guarantee a specific role. Opportunities will be limited, and we are so happy to have so much interest in helping us out, but we also can't promise all volunteers will be placed. Assignments will not be completed until closer to the event. Please send an email to coawest@gmail.com if you have any questions or need any clarifications. 
November 8, 2017
Well, less than ONE WEEK after we opened registration, we are FULL! If you would like to be added to our 2018 WAITING LIST, please send us an email at coawest@gmail.com with the # of students you want to bring, and "WAITING LIST" in the subject line. 
Students who have already registered, don't forget to select your sessions once you get the workshop link! Teachers--if your numbers change, please let us know--we have schools on a waiting list! Here's to an AMAZING #COAWest18! October 29, 2017
ARE YOU READY??? Registration is happening on Wednesday, November 1st (that's just 3 days away!). Some things to remember:
October 2017
***UPDATE*** Registration opens on November 1st! Students, teachers, librarians--gather your friends and figure out which workshops and panels you want to attend. Don't dilly-dally, once the spots are gone, they're gone! September 2017
Did you miss the big news? Our 2018 Cavalcade of Authors West lineup was posted to our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages on September 21st! (It's a good idea to follow our socials because we break most of our news there first!) Mark your calendars for May 12th, 2018--don't miss out on our awesome authors! 
June 2017
2017 Writing Contest Winners Published! Be sure to visit our Writing Contest page to read the entries from our 2017 winning authors, Denise Gonzales from Lochburn Middle School and Alyssa Young from Lakes High School (Go Clover Park SD!). We are proud of these young authors, and can't wait to read their first published books! Congratulations, ladies! April 2017
The final details are in the works for NEXT SATURDAY! Yes, we are just days away from a once-in-a-lifetime experience at #COAWest17. All students who have preregistered have been assigned sessions and panels; any students who did not preregister for workshops will be assigned sessions at registration on the morning of the 6th. A logistics letter has been sent to all registered schools so that you know what to bring, what our schedule is, and what to expect of the day. Some key reminders:
February 2017
Sorry! We apologize for any inconvenience this past week while our website was under transition. 
We can't wait to see your Writing Contest entries and Workshop Preference Forms--make sure to get those turned in soon!
February 2017
Cavalcade of Authors West 2017 Registration is OPEN! Please go to our Registration page to sign your students up for our conference in just three easy steps. **Please note that all our registration options are electronic. Payment by credit card will be through PayPal (hosted on our site). Checks and P.O.'s will also be accepted. All payments are due April 1, 2017. January 2017
Check out our Promotional Poster for #COAWest17! Teachers and librarians, use our poster to promote at school... Students, post, download, share, or just hang up in your bedroom--we're just as excited as you! You'll see this image on our shirts for 2017, so make sure you don't miss out on that (details to follow closer to conference). January 2017
The details of the Writing Contest have been uploaded! Go check out the page to see how to get your original story to pay you big (well, in gift cards, probably)! All submissions are due to COA West by March 1st, and to your lead teacher even before that. We can't wait to read what you've got! November 2016
Our Cavalcade of Authors West schedule is available--check it out! We made a few changes (partially because of our venue switch), but our start and end time are the same! 2017 Day-of Schedule 8:30-9:00 Registration 9:00-9:20 Assembly 9:30-10:15 Session 1 10:25-11:10 Session 2 11:15-12:05 Lunch 12:15-1:00 Session 3 1:10-1:55 Session 4 2:05-3:00 Author Signing September 2016
Check back soon for important news! 
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